Charting the internet pop world one blog post at a time.

“Break Your Fall” is the follow-up to JRL’s deep house collaboration with Ludvigson back last Fall with “Waiting On You”, once again for Tipsy Records. This time the Swedish production trio goes straight for the heart with a rich melody and hook accentuating some high notes in an electronic ballad led by a knowing but warm vocal by UK singer Cammie Robinson (hailing from my grandmother’s home town of West Yorkshire). “Break Your Fall” may be familiar but it’s timeless and captivating which will bring it home for most listeners and should garner a few close-ups on the dance floor too. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you give it a spin at the link above.

Lest you think that pop/dance and EDM are the only genres to find their way outside of Sweden, then Simon Alexander’s “Won’t Be Found” is a convincing alternative. This is fine storytelling alt.rock that draws upon a myriad of classic influences which has a compelling vocal and memorable hooks that will draw you into the intriguing lyrics as they unfold. The song, from Simon’s EP of the same name, also features a well shot and thought out video that will keep you scratching your head until the end. “Won’t Be Found” is deserving of attention for rock fans looking for something decidedly different. Watch the video at the link above.

It’s another global collaboration, this time newcomer producers Beau Collins from The Netherlands and Sweden’s Osrin with the sophisticated and pretty “Wonderland”. Not only does “Wonderland” have layers of interesting synths and drops in all the right places, it features an appropriately gracious vocal by award-winning Canadian singer Maggie Szabo, who is now based out of L.A. That vocal is always on point, and I enjoy that that producers have kept it a little gritty in spots. The signs are all pointing to 2018 being a year filled with futuristic emotional electronic pop, whether sad or uplifting, and “Wonderland” is off to an early start in that regard. And if these guys are as young as they look, then we’ll be hearing plenty more of Beau Collins and Osrin.

“Waiting On You” is a slice of Swedish pop that sincerely conveys the angst in relationships when waiting for the other half to make an important decision. Production trio JRL and newcomer Ludvigsson let a bright future bass-influenced melody lead the way while US singer Max Landry, having previously worked with JRL as well as D-12 and Boldy James, sells the story with conviction. And though “Waiting On You” will be very convincing in clubs come slow dance time, all involved manage to capture the essential elements of pure pop without dominating it with tricks and vocal effects which would detract from the core of what it’s about. Listen to “Waiting On You” at the link above.

If you’ve been missing some Jamiroquai or Penguin Prison power in your playlists, then the fun and soulful house track “Waiting 4” by Sweden’s Philip Mikal featuring vocalist Ola should do the trick. It’s a zingy and zesty track with instant club appeal. And if you’re a producer or remixer, Philip currently has acompetition underway(deadline August 17) in exchange for prizes for remixes, and the right ones can take the song to even bigger places. If not, you have yourself a free download for the listening at the above link.

Swedish trio Ember Island, who recently visited the U.S. for SXSW among other venues, have a beautiful could-be-hit with “Need You”. But Cloudchord’s funky dance remix could put it on the club map with ease. Following up his engaging remix of Jamie xx’s “Loud Places” (currently on my personal chart), “Need You” is heavily influenced by the classic sounds of yesteryear R&B and disco which when mixed up with today’s flavours results in progressive nu-disco that will stand out in a club mix. What I dig most about this one is the slick and crunchy guitar work which can hold its own against and be mixed with records by Nile Rodgers/Chic, Scissor Sisters, and more. Don’t pass up this remix of “Need You”, be sure to download it for free using the Soundcloud link above.

The younger generation of producers/remixers is upon us as initiated by Zedd and Martin Garrix back in 2012/13. Sweden’s Hellberg also started off around that time but is coming into his own now with the likes of his remixes such as club hit “Age Of Innocence” by Elephante which I’ve already written about. Pair him up with another youngin, NYC vocalist Aaron Richards, and the same magic that happened with “Spectrum” and “Animals” is here again. “Synchronize” is a touching and beautiful song for the Spring months as it’s all about igniting love between two people and feeling it soar. This kind of emotional bliss travels fast in the Dance/EDM world and I expect it to be a breakout for Hellberg and Aaron Richards. Hellberg also posted a candid announcement (up top) that makes this success all the more appealing. “Synchronize” is now on release, listen to it on the Soundcloud link above.

Following up their #3 Billboard Dance Club Play remix success on Rozalla’s “If You Say It Again” and their 2013 single “Hardcore (Is My Life)”, Sherbrooke, Quebec EDM producers J-Mi and Midi-D are back with your end of summer rave-up, “So Much For That”. What’s different here for the duo (best friends, not a couple!), Jamie Thompson and Dave Phaneuf, is that the vocals here this time are by Jamie! She aptly described it to me a few weeks back as Avril Lavigne meets The Vengaboys, which is what might happen when Canadian talent goes to Sweden and writes a song with the noted Michael Saxell (Bachman Turner, Jeff Beck, Keith Reid of Procol Harum, and many more). Take a wistful and sincere vocal, such as in Avril’s”I’m With You”, and think of it as a mere lead-in to a blast of bouncy Swedish Europop. Combine it with identifiable lyrics that encourage you to put your bad day/summer relationship behind you, and then just let go and party away! “So Much For That” is a splendid change of pace for these self-proclaimed ‘galactic ravers’ who have also scored music for DanceDanceRevolution and other projects, combining their passion for music with gaming. The energy here is pretty contagious from a genuine pair of music nerds who know their stuff. The music video for “So Much For That” is fun and lovably awkward and will make you smile. Give it a watch and pick up “So Much For That” on iTunes (featuring both an Extended and Karaoke version for your singing pleasure!).

Swedish star Eric Saade is back in form with his new song “Sting”, which should by all rights be a worldwide smash. While he’s dropped the riveting dance rhythms and high arpeggios that graced his best music to date from his Saade Volumes 1 and 2 albums, “Sting” takes on a good timey, in-your-face pop attitude for the singer, and you can feel his personality oozing out more than ever. Performances like in the video below from Sweden’s Melodifestivalen contest should put Eric Saade more on the international map than ever, hopefully both on radio and on tour. Check your iTunes, “Sting” was released in some parts of the world on Sunday (but not yet in Canada 😦 ).

It’s strange sometimes when two songs arrive closely together with the same title, yet have nothing in common, except of course that they are both completely noteworthy 🙂

Readers of this blog know Swedish singer Andreas Moe all too well for his vocal appearances on dance hits by Tiesto and John de Sohn, as well as for an original EP from two years ago called Collecting Sunlight. “Ocean” continues in the acoustic, folk-influenced vein, but this time there seem to be more traditional folk elements about the song as its story unfolds into something on the mystical side, captured nicely by the free-spirited look of the video, below. Big things continue to happen for Andreas – such as opening recently for John Mayer! His four song EP Ocean is due July 14, but in the meantime you can buy the title song on iTunes.

It’s hard to imagine such a deep R&B flavoured sound coming from an Australian singer, but Vanessa Elisha is back with “Ocean”, which continues a similar style started by “Home To Me”, from her previous EP Don’t Go. Vanessa’s voice has all of the best qualities of the biggest name female R&B singers, but her style fits in more comfortably with those on the more alternative/hip hop side. When she sings “surround me like an ocean”, you will immediately want to do the same (especially if it means warm Aussie waters). She has a cool way of expressing longing and desire when missing her guy. It’s no surprise that Vanessa’s main audience is in North America, it’s just a matter of getting over here for the exposure, which I’m sure will happen one day. I’ve also heard that Vanessa wants to work with JMSN… would be a great pairing! Listen to “Ocean” below.